Ever since I was born, I have been raised by teachers. My mother teaches high school, both of my grandfathers taught, and my grandmother was a college professor. Being surrounded by teachers encouraged me to grow educationally but at the same time, I learned how to teach as well. I find myself speaking and interacting with children in a very similar manner to the way my parents and grandparents spoke and interacted with me. Up to this point, and even now, I have been in very good educational institutions and have generally had great teachers as examples, so my evolution into a teacher should be beneficial and enjoyable for me and for hundreds, if not, thousands of students in the future.
I believe that the classroom should be a place where students and teachers collaborate their thinking to generate new ideas in exciting ways. Humans are naturally curious and enjoy problem solving, so by providing the right environment, students will have an intrinsic motivation to succeed. In order to construct the type of environment that is most productive for both teachers and students, respect must be the bottom line: respect for the teacher, the students, the classroom and the learning that takes place. When holding students to a certain standard, it is crucial that the teacher follows suit. Lesson preparation and execution should display a level of work and thought that equals and exceeds what students are expected to do. In this way, the teacher sets the bar for student work. With a welcoming learning environment, an understanding of respect, and high expectations, teachers can create a classroom that encourages students to become self-directed learners.